The love within...

Episode3-Oh Maddie...

"Hey, where are you? I've been waiting at the bus stop for what feels like an eternity, and the bus is almost here! Did you forget about me again?" But Tylor's response was laced with a careless apologetic tone, "Oh, Maddie, I'm so sorry! I totally spaced out - Addie happened to be driving by and offered me a ride to school. I didn't want to keep him waiting, you know?" Maddie's heart felt like it was plummeting into her stomach as she realized she was no longer a priority in Tylor's life. "It's okay... no problem," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, as she struggled to hold back tears. "Just take care, and I'll see you soon." The call ended, and Maddie was left standing alone at the bus stop, feeling like a forgotten relic of Tylor's past.

As the days went by, Tylor and Addie's bond grew stronger, leaving Maddie feeling increasingly left out. It seemed like everything revolved around Addie now, and Maddie couldn't help but feel rejected.

As Maddie worked in the lab, her gaze drifted away from the test tubes and petri dishes. Her mind wandered to Tylor, her usual partner in crime, now absent from her side. She missed the way they used to chat about everything and nothing, their laughter echoing off the lab equipment. The silence felt deafening, like an empty beaker waiting to be filled. Maddie's hand moved automatically, conducting experiments on autopilot. Her heart felt heavy, like a lead weight in her chest. She simply missed her friend, the way they used to be. With a sigh, she refocused on the task at hand, but her thoughts lingered on Tylor, wishing they could go back to the way things were before.

One day, while walking to school, Maddie spotted Tylor across the way and excitedly waved at her. However, her enthusiasm was short-lived, as she realized Tylor was actually waving at Addie behind her.

"Maddie looked a bit sad and disappointed in herself that she thought Tylor was waving at her, but just smiled,".

Later that day, Maddie remembered a photography project she had planned for the weekend and thought about inviting Tylor along. However, she hesitated, feeling uncertain about her place in their friendship. She decided to visit Tylor at her house instead, where she found her on the phone with Addie.

"Addie, I'll call you back later," Tylor said, then turned to Maddie. "Why are you standing over there like a stranger? Come in."

Maddie replied, "Ahh, well, sometimes I wish I was just a stranger."

Tylor didn't hear her clearly and asked, "What?"

Maddie hesitated, then said, "Just never mind. I came to inform you that this weekend we will be going for a picnic!"

Tylor's face lit up with excitement. "Easy, easy girl, you seem more excited than I even thought!" She jumped and hugged Maddie tightly.

Maddie smiled and adjusted her lens. "Maddie comes out putting her camera in her backpack, but to her surprise, she saw Tylor and Addie together standing against the car."

"Hi, Maddie," Addie said. Maddie looked confused, but Tylor pulled her closer.

"Maddie, Addie is coming with us, and we can go to more exciting places since he has a car."

Maddie's expression turned skeptical. "That's so nice," she said, then pulled Tylor aside.

"What do you think you're doing?" Maddie asked, her voice laced with concern.

Tylor replied, "I know this can be a bit complicated... But please, Maddie, I want to spend time with him. Please?"

Maddie reluctantly agreed, "Okay, fine."

The outing only seemed to favor the two, with Maddie following along and acting as their photographer. She couldn't even do what she wanted to do in the first place.

At the ice cream parlor, Addie intentionally dropped his cone, and Tylor shared hers with him, leaving Maddie to watch alone.

At the theater, Maddie was the only one paying attention to the movie, while Tylor and Addie were lost in their own little world.

As they parted ways, Addie and Tylor exchanged loving goodbyes, leaving Maddie feeling like an afterthought.

"Bye, love you," Addie said.

"Love you too," Tylor replied.

"Love you more," Addie said, smiling.

"Love you most," Tylor countered.

Maddie blurted out her frustration, "And I hate you all."

The two looked at her in surprise. "What?" they asked in unison.

Maddie quickly covered, "Nothing, I didn't know that came out loud."

Maddie turned to Tylor with a introspective gaze. "Hey, Tylor... can I talk to you for a sec?" she asked, her voice low and thoughtful.

Tylor nodded, "Addie give me a minute" He stand aside and Tylor walk to Maddie still with a wide smile. Tylor:" today was so good I really had fan, thanks to your picnic plan" Maddie smiled shortly before proceeding.

Maddie's words flowed like a gentle brook. "I just feel like... we used to be so close, you know? We'd laugh, talk, share everything. But lately, it feels like you're always busy, always with Addie." Her voice cracked slightly, and Tylor's smiled was suddenly wiped out clean.

"I miss you, Tylor. I miss us," Maddie whispered, her voice barely audible.

Tylor's face contorted in a mix of sadness and regret, but before she could respond, Maddie turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness. Tylor stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the spot where Maddie had vanished, her heart heavy with sorrow.

The next day, Maddie didn't come to school, ignoring Tylor's calls and texts. It seemed like their friendship had reached a breaking point.